Tuff Memorial Home, Hills, facing COVID-19 outbreak

A resident at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills died Monday as a result of Covid-19, and 18 others have tested positive for the virus.
In addition, 11 staff members are positive as of Tuesday and are taking measures to quarantine.
According to Tuff administrator Eli Ripley, the outbreak is creating challenges, but he said the facility is managing.
“We have a great staff here and we’re taking it day by day to try to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible,” he said Tuesday.
“We’re continuing to provide the best care we can.”
Staff members who tested positive are quarantining away from their jobs for two weeks, and Ripley said it’s creating some temporary staff shortages that he’s working to fill.
“If you’re a CNA and want some work, we could use you,” he said.
Nursing homes have protocols to follow in the event of pandemic outbreaks, and Ripley said the Tuff Home is following those.
Rock County Emergency Management Director Kyle Oldre and state public health officials are assisting the Tuff Home with the outbreak.
“This is a very difficult disease to try to get ahead of,” Oldre said.
“Obviously we want to do everything we can to care for the residents in the Tuff Home and keep them there and keep the facility open as long as possible.”
He praised Ripley and Tuff Home lead staff for their handling of the outbreak.
“I think they’ve done a great job down there,” Oldre said. “They’ve done absolutely everything they possibly can.”
If need be, he said the Minnesota Department of Health will step in with mandated plans, but it so far hasn’t reached that point.
Ripley said he’s confident his team and residents will succeed in place.
“A lot of facilities have gone through this and come out on the other side, and we will too,” he said.
“We have a great staff and we just have to hunker down and get through this.”
Like other nursing homes throughout the state, the Tuff Home and Tuff Village have been in lockdown mode since March 16, with no visitors allowed.
Up until the recent outbreak, outdoor visits were allowed.
“The only instance where we allow family would be in the case of an end of life situation where the resident is on end of life care,” Ripley wrote on the Tuff Home website.
“We understand connecting with your loved one is extremely important; we are happy to set up telephone calls or other means of communication with your loved ones per your request.”
The number to the facility is 507-962-3275.
The Tuff resident’s death is the second COVID death recorded in Rock County, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
Luverne’s Tony Miller, 66, died Sept. 25 from complications related to COVID-19.